Transmission Oil Supply Layout Using Vacuum Return Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive systems require costly and complex oil return (scavenging) pumps to manage oil distribution between different pressure regions within the transmission casing, leading to increased complexity and power losses due to aerodynamic effects.
Innovation Solution
An oil supply system utilizing a vacuum pump to generate pressure differentials between oil receptacles, eliminating the need for oil return pumps by controlling oil and gas flow through check and regulating valves, allowing oil to be collected and distributed via gravity, reducing the need for intermediate tanks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If oil return (scavenging) pumps are used to return oil from the transmission casing to oil receptacles, then oil distribution is maintained, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the oil return pump from the system by using a vacuum pump to create a pressure differential that passively returns oil to the receptacles, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining oil distribution functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vacuum pump's pressure differential to automatically return oil without requiring separate oil return pumps, allowing the system to serve itself and reduce component count
2Reliability
If oil return (scavenging) pumps are used to manage oil between pressure regions, then oil collection is effective, but power losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum pump's pressure differential automatically drives oil return without requiring additional power from separate oil return pumps, eliminating redundant energy consumption while maintaining effective oil collection
3Reliability
If separate tanks are used to collect oil from evacuated portions of the casing, then oil separation is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the oil collection function into the existing oil receptacles by using the vacuum pump's pressure differential to direct oil flow, eliminating the need for separate intermediate tanks while maintaining oil separation effectiveness
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces the complexity and cost of the drive system by eliminating the need for oil return pumps and minimizing power losses through controlled pressure differentials, enhancing efficiency and performance by optimizing oil distribution within the transmission.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum pump operatively coupled to the first oil receptacle and the second oil receptacle for selectively generating the pressure differential between the first oil receptacle and the second oil receptacle
Implementation Method 2
the vacuum pump generates a negative pressure inside the first oil receptacle
Implementation Method 3
the gas check valve operative by application of a pressure differential to prevent gas from flowing from the second oil receptacle to the first oil receptacle
Implementation Method 4
an oil check valve in a second coupling line that fluidly couples the first oil receptacle to the second oil receptacle adjacent a bottom of both receptacles, the oil check valve operative by application of the pressure differential to prevent oil from flowing from the second oil receptacle to the first oil receptacle
Implementation Method 5
a first oil receptacle collecting oil from a transmission casing of the transmission via a first oil return line; a second oil receptacle collecting oil from at least one other portion of the drive system
Data Source
AI summary
An oil supply system includes a first oil receptacle collecting oil from a transmission and a second oil receptacle collecting oil from the rest of a drive system using gravity. Oil supply pump(s) supply oil from the oil receptacle(s) to the different consumers. A vacuum pump generates a negative pressure in the first oil receptacle and in the transmission casing connected to the first oil receptacle. A gas check valve prevents gas from flowing between the oil receptacles when a pressure differential is applied to the oil receptacles by the vacuum pump. An oil check valve prevents oil from flowing between the oil receptacles when the pressure differential is applied. An oil regulating valve may control the oil flow between the first and second oil receptacles. The oil supply system provides a simpler configuration without scavenging pump(s).